Mary Poppins was on last week (probably because of the release of Saving Mr Banks) and I found that although of course I remembered all the songs word for word, I'd missed a whole lot of the meaning. In the chalk picture holiday section, all I had noticed as a child were the animated penguins and the harried fox ("view hallooo!"). But listening to Mary and Bert's song, Jolly Holiday, I was struck by Mary's verse:
Oh it's a jolly holiday with you, BertThat meant nothing to me as a child. And I found Dick van Dyke quite annoying. But as an adult, I am quite surprised at this reference to adult men and women's behaviour, and I like that Bert is obviously a gentleman. Apparently P.L. Travers was adamant there be no suggestion of romance between Mary and Bert (she didn't want this whole animated sequence either). But I do like the hints of extreme fondness and admiration between them. Old fashioned romance.
Gentlemen like you are few
Though you're just a diamond in the rough, Bert
underneath your blood is blue.
You'd never think of pressing your advantage
Forbearance is the hallmark of your creed
A lady needn't fear when you are near
Your sweet gentility is crystal clear
Oh it's a jolly holiday with you, Bert
A jolly, jolly holiday with you!
Could you imagine Mary Poppins letting any man get away with pressing his advantage? Certainly not!
I've also always wanted to go on a chalk picture holiday.
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